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bit surprised that ryan braun listed. i think he's earned it but still surprised

There were only five left fielders in the NL who played in even 100 complete games last season, so the pickin's were slim. If 100 is the floor for consideration, the only people Braun had to beat out were Matt Holliday and Jason Kubel.

as someone who has watched ramirez his entire career he was astonishingly consistent and effective at third base this season

Is it wrong for me to think that 3B is a position where a player can quickly improve his value? Because the ball gets on a 3B so quickly, often before he can take more than a step or two, it seems like it's the one position where positioning can most easily make up for athletic ability.

i need to get it explained to me why it is important to consider batting average as part of the gold glove award.

i hear tell that brendan ryan is an even better SS for the mariners than he was for saint looey and he was almost adam everett quality when he was there. and having wqatched jj hardy i can say that on no planet does jj hardy even think of being anywheres NEAR the ss that brendan ryan is

mccutchen has a higher BA than bourn - but firtunately, he really IS a really good CF. not bourn, but he really IS good. jimmy rollins????? REALLY??????

I'm amazed that Trout and Ryan didn't win. They're spectacular to watch. I can see Simmons not winning since he didn't play that much. I don't really understand how Bourn didn't win either. Do players even watch baseball?

Am I nuts, or are there not a ton of exceptional fielders right now? On the NL list Molina is the only guy that I think of as being really great (haven't watched Barney much), on the AL list, Beltre, maybe Wieters. Reddick and Gordon are very good in their corners.

Is it wrong for me to think that 3B is a position where a player can quickly improve his value? Because the ball gets on a 3B so quickly, often before he can take more than a step or two, it seems like it's the one position where positioning can most easily make up for athletic ability.

I think it is a lot more about quick reactions and a strong, accurate arm. Charging bunts and slow rollers is another thing.

Hardy had an outstanding season defensively and was better than Ryan according to Total Zone. I'm not sure why one defensive system should be seen as gospel. Plus, Hardy hit .238, so it's silly to say that he won because of his batting average or offense.

Trout obviously should have beaten Jones, but I don't buy that he was 37 runs better. IIRC, there's a weird home/road split with the defensive numbers for Orioles outfielders. I think Jones is average to slightly below average overall.

Barney had an amazing year. The Cubs put a new emphasis on positioning this year. Perhaps it was the influence of Dave McKay or perhaps it was organizational, but Barney almost always seemed to be in the right spot to make a play. Combine that with range not seen in Chicago since Sandberg, sure hands that result in a .997 fielding percentage, and the arm of one who came up as a shortstop. One of the few bright spots in a dismal year for the northsiders. It's nice to see him recognized.